Hip-Hop Wired recently sat down with upwardly mobile New Orleans artist August Alsina, who discussed signing to Def Jam as opposed to Cash Money Records.
“It wasn’t really my label of choice,” said the Hip-Hop crooner about the storied label (Note: No, he’s not dissing Def Jam). “I’m from New Orleans and I wanted to be with Cash Money in my heart of all hearts. But it just didn’t work out.”
Alsina—who might also know from his recent, tense visit to 106 & Park—went on to detail the waiting game he played with Cash Money head honchos, Baby and Slim. “I sat around and waited for a minute. I went and met with Baby and Slim around four times. And now that I’m experiencing this – the motions of the grind and hustle – I know that when people are focused on something, you can’t take away their focus. Only when they’re ready.” Later adding, “I sat around and waited, but I gotta do what I gotta do […] I’m a hustler, I wait on no one.”
It was only when Alsina finally inked a deal with Def Jam under the Universal Music Group umbrella that Baby circled back with the up-and-comer about a contract. Almost, Birdman, but no banana.
In any case, Alsina seems to be in an operative rapport with his home label and has been able to draw in much deserved attention as a result. Watch the conversation in the video below.
Catch August Alsina live when he headlines the festival stage at Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2014.
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Photo: Hip-Hop Wired
